Are business rates killing the high street?

Published on 28 April 2021

In this episode, we ask what effect business rates have on our high streets and whether they should be reformed.

Business rates are charged on non-domestic properties, such as shops, offices, pubs, factories and warehouses, and raise around 3% of the government's revenue.

At the start of the COVID pandemic, the government waived business rates for most businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. But the tax will start again from summer. As the high street reopens, we ask what effect business rates have on our high streets, whether they should be reformed, and whether we need a new tax on online retail to level the playing field.

This week, we speak with Helen Miller, IFS tax expert, and Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium.

Host

Paul Johnson

Director

Paul has been the Director of the IFS since 2011. He is also currently visiting professor in the Department of Economics at University College London.